The Vault

Learn about what made the Red River Valley such a popular spot to settle, a divide between Fargo's early settlers, and the tragedy that stopped the growing boom-town in its tracks. 

Based on the book by Danielle Teigen.

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-History-Fargo-Danielle-Teigen/dp/146713659X

The brutal murder of 16-year-old Alma Kruckenberg at the hands of her minister on August 16, 1938, was shocking enough. The subsequent confession, trial, and sentencing of her murderer took place with astonishing speed, leaving Alma’s family and friends barely enough time to process the horrifying event. Lurid details of the crime have been passed down from one generation to the next, becoming distorted with every telling. Her nephew is now digging deeper in a book he just released.

Reporter: Tracy Briggs

In the second of this two-part series, Forum Communications journalist and fellow podcaster Tracy Briggs asks the questions you've always wanted to know, including how Wolner, a California native ended up in North Dakota.

When a state chooses to make a dramatic change in the way it enforces law and order -- most notably in how it punishes those who break the law, it’s safe to assume the change would come after careful study, well-reasoned feedback from the state’s residents or maybe after those residents took to the streets to protest and demand change.

But when the state of Minnesota chose to abolish the death penalty in the early 20th century, the change came not from any of those things, but from the fallout of a forbidden love affair between a mutinous, bar-brawling Englishman and a teenage boy. And how the people from the land of 10,000 lakes reacted to it.

In the first of this two-part series, Forum Communications journalist and fellow podcaster Tracy Briggs asks the questions you've always wanted to know, including how Wolner, a California native ended up in North Dakota.

Was Fargo carpenter Frank Kethman joking when he called Moorhead physician Thrond Egge, a “horse doctor.” Some say “yes,” others say “no,” and the bad blood between the two men ended with one of them dead and lead to the Wagon Wrench Murder of 1909.

Hosted by Tracy Briggs. 

Read the full article: https://www.inforum.com/the-vault/7141942-A-Moorhead-doctor-and-a-Fargo-carpenter-walk-into-a-bar-and-walk-into-the-Wagon-Wrench-Murder

In July 1932, federal agents raided a picturesque farm near Jamestown, North Dakota. The farm was owned by one of the most prominent men in town. It also houses the biggest illegal booze operation west of Chicago.

One of North Dakota's wealthiest farmers was also a serial killer. Eugene Butler was a founding father of the town of Niagara, N.D., in 1882. Shortly after his death in 1915, workmen found six skeletons under his house. Now more than 100 years after his murderous spree, authorities say you might hold the key to identifying his victims.

Full Story: https://www.inforum.com/the-vault/7073384-One-of-North-Dakotas-wealthiest-farmers-was-also-a-serial-killer

After years of research, interviews and a boastful confession by another man, the new lead prosecutor fights to make sure justice is finally served in the death of Marie Wick and conviction of William Gummer.

Gummer gives an interview as he’s heading into prison. He doesn’t think he’ll be there long. But he is there for 22 years.